Elsewhere

How to validate assumptions

The first real post on my writing Substack: on how to validate product assumptions, and how that might be applied to a novel.  #Elsewhere [Link]

Blockchain’s real world problem

“Cryptocurrencies and smart contracts truly do reduce the need for trust and centralization! However, if you want to connect them with off chain data, you need to trust the source(s) of that data. Some oracle providers like Artory vet their data sources stringently, but many, like Chainlink, don’t”

Substack and Medium

If you receive my posts via email, you’re now getting them through Substack. Nothing should substantially change, but they’ll look a little different. This is the fourth newsletter platform I’ve used for my writing: MailChimp, ConvertKit, and Buttondown all preceded it. This new change - which, let’

Coding

The Perfect Commit

“The commit is our principle unit of work. It deserves to be treated thoughtfully and with care.” As always, a thoughtful approach to technical work from Simon.  #Coding [Link]

End frequent flyer programs

“Frequent flyer programs use words like “status”, “elite”, and “prestige” for passengers who make ridiculously high demands on the earth’s resources. With private club access, seat upgrades and priority boarding, they use the trappings of social mobility to encourage destructive behaviours.”  #Climate [Link]

Another shitty day for democracy

I’m having trouble shaking today from my bones, so consider this post an attempted exorcism. As I sit down to write, this was a day when a man broke into the Speaker of the House’s home in San Francisco, armed with a hammer, with the apparent intent of

Tuna

“It has a name, this uniquely vile game: it is called extinction speculation. It’s practised by those who collect Norwegian shark fin, rare bear bladders and rhino horn; men and women with hearts that sing along only to the song of money. There are collectors known to be building

Women of color are leading the effort to connect voting rights and abortion access

“Issues of democracy and reproductive rights have long been tied together for women of color in America. But during this year’s midterms, women of color are in positions of power and influence in ways they haven’t been before. They framed the stakes of the election early and have

First-ever study shows bumble bees 'play'

“Bumble bees play, according to new research led by Queen Mary University of London published in Animal Behaviour. It is the first time that object play behavior has been shown in an insect, adding to mounting evidence that bees may experience positive "feelings.”” I can’t believe it’s

A NASA satellite launched to detect dust has discovered huge methane leaks

“In the three and a half months following EMIT’s launch, the tool has not only successfully mapped out massive dust plumes and their effect on the changing climate, but has also identified another key piece to the global warming puzzle: more than 50 methane “super-emitters,” some of which had

Welcome to hell, Elon

“Also, everyone crying about “free speech” conveniently ignores that the biggest threat to free speech in America is the fucking government, which seems completely bored of the First Amendment. They’re out here banning books, Elon!” The best post about the Twitter acquisition.  #Technology [Link]

Monthly sponsors

I get multiple emails a day asking to pay to place a post on my website. As of today, here’s the message I’m replying with: Thanks for reaching out. I don't accept paid posts on my website as such. I'm considering adding a monthly